Key Takeaways:
- Earwax is a natural substance made up of primarily dead skin, cerumen, sebum, and sweat.
- The glands that produce these components are the ceruminous and sebaceous glands. These glands help protect the ear, reducing likelihood of infection.
- The ear is self-cleaning for most people, allowing the wax to move out gradually on its own.
- Some medical conditions, medications, or even high stress levels can cause overproduction of earwax, which may require professional cleaning to manage.
Earwax is a popular topic on TikTok at the moment, with videos of ear cleaning going viral. But you might be wondering where earwax comes from: Ceruminous glands (aka, earwax glands), produce this waxy substance that protects our ears from debris and infection.
As an audiologist, I field many questions about earwax. If you came here to find out more about just what earwax is all about, you're in luck. In this article, we will dive into ceruminous glands, disorders, and issues and clarify some common earwax myths.
What is earwax?
Earwax is a natural substance created by the ear. It is composed of keratin (from dead skin), cerumen (from the ceruminous glands and pilosebaceous glands), sweat, sebum, and other debris.
How much earwax does a person have? Individual production of earwax will vary in terms of the amount, consistency, and even color of earwax.
As for the wax itself, there are two types: wet and dry. Wet wax is more typical for those of Western European and African descent, while dry wax is more typical for Asian or Native American descent. Wet wax can be either soft or hard but is typically made of 50% lipid. Dry wax is more likely to cause earwax impaction and generally is 20% lipid. Get more intel about earwax here.
Myths About Earwax
Let's look at a few common myths about earwax.
Myth #1: Earwax is dirty and needs to be completely removed.
In reality, some earwax is natural and healthy and should be left alone unless there is a problem. Wax helps keep germs and bacteria from entering the body. Having some wax in the ear also preserves moisture and prevents itchy, dry skin.
Myth #2: Cotton swabs are a safe and effective way to remove earwax.
Cotton swabs can push the wax further into the ear canal and cause blockage or damage. To help soften earwax, use a few drops of mineral oil and then flush the ear gently with water in the shower or with a bulb syringe.
Myth #3: Ear candles are effective at removing earwax.
Ear candles cause more harm than good. There is no evidence that they remove wax and may even cause third-degree burns to the delicate ear canal or eardrum skin. Read more about ear candles here.
Final Thoughts
Ceruminous glands are an essential part of ear health. You don't need to remove all earwax from the ear, and doing so is actually not healthy for your ear. Although we don't typically think of earwax this way, it is essential to remember its benefits to the ear canal.
However, some people are more prone to earwax build-up or disorders of the ceruminous glands. Rather than trying to remove earwax yourself, it is essential to seek the guidance of a professional. By doing this, you'll keep your ears healthy and functioning properly.
